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How to Wow A Woman on a First Date for Under $20

February 15, 2015

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By Laurel House

Dating can be frustratingly expensive for men. So expensive, in fact, that some people say that if you don’t have enough money, don’t bother dating until you do! And while if your focus in life right now is your business, as opposed to finding love, that might be something to think about

BUT if dating is a priority for you, great! No need to spend all of your hard earned cash on a first date that could go nowhere. Instead, keep your change, get creative, and open yourself to the possibility of creating an even deeper connection.

Here are 10 great 1st dates under $20 that will wow a woman!

1. Go on a Picnic

No, it’s not lame. A well thought-out picnic at a cool location that includes a comfortable blanket, bottle of wine, and finger snacks can end up being more intimate, romantic, and memorable than any expensive night on the town.

2. Take a Local Pub Tour or Go Wine Tasting

Many cities have local breweries or wineries where you can go in for a fun tasting on the cheap. Some spots also have palette-cleaning snacks so you can also get a free bite to eat. Also make sure to ask about private tours, where you get to taste some of the more expensive reserve booze direct from the barrels.

3. Be a Tourist in Your Town

Regardless of where you live, there are interesting activities to do that you likely reserve for when guests are in town. That’s just crazy! Instead of keeping these treasured destinations hidden away for a special occasion- like you do with your china or nice lingerie, get out there and explore like you’re an out-of-towner! Buy a guidebook and take your date for a tourist-worthy adventure.

4. Go to the Zoo

Most local zoos allow entry for a nominal fee, but are loaded with different activities! If your date mentions that she is an animal lover or has a tender heart for anything nostalgic, the zoo is the perfect place for an off beat first date that will make you feel like you’re kids again.

5. Get Ice Cream

The favorite flavor and topping of ice cream can actually say a lot about a person. A fan of vanilla with sprinkles and cookie dough on top? You have classic tastes but like a little excitement added to the mix. Find an old school ice cream parlor and play the game “what does your ice cream selection say about you?"

6. Go to a Museum

Natural history, art, aquatic, technology, cars, even children’s

there are all sorts of interesting museums that are often very inexpensive and offer the opportunity to stroll around, learn about something new, and probably pick up on a few things about each other too. Plus it’s so much more interesting than just having a drink and sitting across the table from each other at a bar.

7. Rollerblading

It might seem passé, but lots of people secretly still love rollerblading. Ask if she’s still got her skates- an obvious and instant tell. Then find a pretty path and work up a sweat together. Extra reward: sweating together creates chemistry due to the pheromones released

8. Stargaze or Planetarium

If it’s a beautiful night, grab a blanket, bottle of wine, some snack, and find a cool spot where you can comfortably sit back and watch the stars. Prefer to stay inside in a temperature-regulated environment? Go to your local planetarium.

9. Go to a Regional Park (it’s much cooler than it sounds).

A regional park isn’t always “just" a park. In fact, they are often some of the best and biggest kept secrets! For example, in Los Angeles there is the Hollywood Bowl, an outdoor music venue where you usually pay as much as $1000 to share the space with 17,000 other people. BUT because it’s an LA County Regional Park, when no one is performing it’s actually a free public space where people go to run the stairs- getting a workout going up and down the 168 stairs, read, or have a picnic. The space is beautiful, relatively private, and such cool.

10. Take a City Food Tour

From a tour of the best cupcake shops to the best chocolates, especially if you live in a big city there are often several of the same type of shop within walking distance. Many cities, like New York, have companies that offer walking tours so you can experience the best tastes on a guided tour.

11. Write a Bucket List- then try to accomplish one of them together

Maybe jumping out of a plane or flying to Fiji might not be a great or cheap first date, but what about writing a song, donating your time at a soup kitchen, or taking dogs for a walk at a rescue kennel? Write up your list together, then try to accomplish one each!

12. Make Art or Ceramics

Get your creative juices flowing together by going to a studio like Color Me Mine where you get to paint your own ceramics. Not only is it fun, but you have something to remember the date later.

13. Go to an Independent Bookstore

Books can say a lot about a person. Pick a cool, funky, independent bookstore and walk the aisles together, each picking out your favorite book and a book you have wanted to read, then telling each other about it.

14. Go to a Pick-Your-Own Farm

Depending on where you live, there are likely farms close by that allow you to pick your own apples, raspberries, and strawberries. Have fun picking and tasting, then enjoy an on-site picnic in the field.

15. Go to a Swap Meet.

You might find that you share an offbeat hobby or interest that will connect you two as well as open up your conversation to real and interesting stories, memories, and laughter.

For active daters, there’s no doubt that the endless sushi, movie and bowling bills can start to put a dent into bank accounts. The solution is inevitably to think outside the box and get active! Connect with local daters ready to explore the city on match.com.

Laurel House

Laurel House is an International Dating Coach and Online Dating Expert, and she has been a featured expert on The TODAY Show, E! News, Good Morning America, Nightline, Glamour, AskMen, and dozens of other print, online, and television outlets, with her dating advice videos receiving over 20 million views on YouTube. Her 5th book "Screwing The Rules: The No-Games Guide to Love” was published in December 2014 with Running Press. Learn more about Laurel.

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